South Korea says North Korea fires 3 short-range projectiles into waters off east coast

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired three short-range projectiles Thursday into the waters off its east coast, a South Korean defence official said. The move was most likely a routine test-firing, but the official said it could also be meant to stoke tensions with Seoul.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of department rules, said the projectiles flew about 190 kilometres (120 miles) before harmlessly landing in the water. The projectiles were fired from North Korea’s eastern port city of Wonsan, and the South Korean military was investigating the type of projectiles and the North’s intentions, the official said.

Short-range test firings by North Korea aren’t unusual, but a barrage of missile and artillery tests earlier this year boosted animosity between the rivals.

North Korea has in recent months threatened South Korea’s leader, calling her a prostitute, and the South has vowed to hit North Korea hard if provoked. North Korea’s rising anger coincided with annual joint military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea and a visit to Seoul by President Barack Obama. North Korea also test-fired two medium-range ballistic missiles and exchanged artillery fire with South Korea near a disputed boundary in the Yellow Sea.

There was also widespread speculation about a possible North Korean nuclear test. North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests since 2006, the latest in February 2013.

Experts believe North Korea has developed a handful of crude nuclear devices and is working toward building a warhead small enough to mount on a long-range missile, although most experts say that goal may take years to achieve.

The Korean Peninsula is still technically in a state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.